Interesting article, and thanks for the topic. I thought of a couple of additions:
In response to your argument "the reason that you hardly ever see fatalities in the heavyweight division is because the big guys don't have to make weight. In many cases, fighters under 150 pounds dehydrate themselves shedding those last few pounds too make weight":
That certainly is a valid point; however, I was thinking that perhaps this might also be caused due to a disproportionate difference in the increased strength of punches compared to an increase in a chin's potency. That is to say for the fighters > 150 lbs: Their chins aren’t as much sturdy as their punches are more powerful. Does that make sense? What I mean is, where a fighter of a higher weight class is more susceptible to being taken out with a single punch, the fighters of lower weight classes -- while they may stay on their feet longer -- end up taking more punishment.
Another thing that got me thinking was your choices of fights that would have turned out differently had they been fought over a different number of rounds. There was a fight not mentioned that I always think of when this discussion arises. Chavez-Taylor I: That whole controversy (in theory) would have been totally avoided: (1) Steele stops the fight; no one argues that Taylor could not have lasted three more rounds. (2) Steele lets the fight go to the 13th; Chavez stops Taylor in that round.
Again, good article. Any thoughts...?
Mayorga's chin and kidney has been exposed..
That's not really fair to Mayorga. He was well above the weight he should fight at, and took more than anyone else 160 or less could have taken. I'll give you the kidney.
The fact that 'The Pocket Rocket' keeps getting mentioned (and deservedly so), and has been considered as posessing a good chin for a while now, is perhaps an indication that his toughness and heart may soon (if not already) become detrimental to his health. It's time to retire Wayne...
Hagler totally won that fight against Leonard...that was a very bad decision. :boxing:
That one is arguable, the worst was the draw they gave Leonard in his 2nd fight with Hearns.
nah
brewster few shots that landed
were hurtin wlad bad
u could see it easy
I agree. Remember in Vlad's earlier, more dominant performances, he wasn't getting touched cause guys were too afraid too get near him (ie J. McCline stagging when Vlad feigned). The big question with Vlad pre Corrie Sanders was what would he do when he got hit. Answer: He folds. He can't help it, he tries to fight through it, but he will lose everytime a decent opponent hits him of the chin. He's been as high (much higher than he should've gotten) as he'll ever be. Now we just need to see the samething happen to Vitali, and maybe we won't have to listen to the hype. Mind you I know Vitali's better, but is an opinion forum. That is to say: I hope (and thisnk it very likely) VK goes down sooner than later
I'd say he is one of the toughest guys at 140. Took Cotto (future great mark my words) to the limit and seriously could have been given the decision against Sharmba. He didn't get beaten handily by Sharmba...watch the fight again. I don't know if he really deserves a shot against a top 5 guy but where did you see he was getting a shot against Tszyu?
Actually, I havn't even seen the fight (Mitchell) at all, I was just going by the score (not always a reliable indicator I know). Anyway, I still don't see him anywhere near deserving of a fight with Tszyu.
I would be more inclined than a lot of people to give Sturm a chance here, but with his low knock out rate (only 9 total), I don't think he has the pop to discourage Tito.
It wouldn't help anyone connected with Gatti to allow their exciting, marketable fighter, to get beaten up and knocked out by the lesser known technically superior Tszyu. Of course that's unfortunate for us...
I'm not saying I'm not a fan of his, and I know I'll take a lot of flak for this, but Arturo Gatti is a prett weak 'world' champ at 140. He's lost, definitively at that, every top class test he's had to date.
I do agree that the HW's listed above are quite egregiously listed as 'champions' as well.
I apologize, because I've never attacked someone's opinion directly on these forums, but that is the most terrible list I've seen in a while. I'm especially incredulous as to how you got 1.Ruiz and 4.Mesi. Those two alone completely discredit any valid argument you might have made.
I just think it's sweet, that the two best guys in th division, and more importantly, the two guys everybody wants to see fight, are goin to do this. This (along with Johnson-Tarver for no belts) is a good theme for boxing.
Anyway, if I was a gambler I'd go with Castillo, but I'm pulling for Corrales.
Toney / Ruiz is great, cause I like Toney and can't stand Ruiz. It seems to make it more interesting when I really care who wins.
Gatti / Mayweather will be fun, too bad that will probably mark the end of Gatti as a top fighter.
Anybody think DLH will have an important (i.e. against the champ) at 147, that could be be the biggest fight of form an overall standpoint. That is: don't get pissed if you hate Oscar, a big - and winnable -- title fight for him is good for the sport.
I think his defeat of Lennox while impresive, should not be given too much weight. Did the rematch leave any questions?
As far as Vitali, again, Rahman gets 'no respect' from me, except to say he'll be at the top of a weak field of heavies. I don't think his riegn would last long either.
My apologies to Hasim, Ive got nothing against him really...
He should retire before he fucks
his legacy over, he is going down
as one of the great middleweights,
but if he fucks up and gets KO'ed
much like Jones people are gonna think,
less of him.
At 40 years old, nothing from here on can damage his legacy. He has everything to gain by taking risks.